Why Positive Thinking Builds Courage, Persistence, Decisiveness (And 3 Other AWESOME Character Traits)

Positive thinking has been getting a bad rep lately.

Some believe positive thinking is for those who want an escape route because they don’t have what it takes to make it in the “real world.”
In other words, positive thinking is for people who want to live with their heads in the sand.

I don’t agree.

Yes, the world is filled with hardship and challenges and I can see why “staying positive” may come across as a simplistic way of living.

But here’s something to think about: positive thinking may not end world hunger or create world peace but neither does negative thinking.

Complaining, seeing only flaws in others or feeling angry and upset all the time only serves to pump out sadness, gloom and dejection.
Meanwhile, research has shown that being positive and optimistic comes with a long list of benefits including a longer life span and better coping skills during times of stress. Also, positive thinking isn’t for people who want to “run from reality”.

Far from it.

Positive thinking and optimism take courage, decisiveness and other strong traits like persistence and solution-focused thinking.

Here are the 6 power-packed character traits you’ll develop when you choose to be positive.

Character Trait #1: Decisiveness

Understand that being positive isn’t something that just happens to you. You’re not born “negative” or “positive” although your surroundings and life circumstances can certainly influence your outlook.

The most important thing to remember is this: thinking positive is a decision.

And it’s an important one.

When you choose to think positive, you are deciding to take control of your thoughts and your life. And that’s always a good thing.

Character Trait #2: Courage

You need to be brave to be positive. It’s not easy to go against the norm and to stay positive in a world that loves negativity. Every day, in conversations around you, in the news on TV, the radio, and just about everywhere, people are talking about and thinking about the things that can’t be done and that can’t be achieved.

It takes courage be different from mainstream thinking and focus on what CAN be achieved instead.

Look at it this way, dreamers, innovators and world–changers are courageous.
They are positive thinkers who focus on the possible. So when you think positive, you’re in good company.

Character Trait #3: Responsibility

It’s impossible to stay positive when you blame others for everything little thing that happens to you. Positive people don’t do this and it’s key reason why they’re so powerful.

Positive thinkers aren’t afraid to take responsibility for their lives and their choices. When you do this, you’re operating at full power. It gives you immense control over your ultimate destiny.

Character Trait #4: Persistence

A sister trait of positive thinking is hope. People who are positive are always hoping for something better, something more. They don’t give up at the first sign of a challenge. They believe there’s always a way around any obstacle and that helpful people and opportunities will show up.

This translates to grit or persistence. When you’re willing to stand up, no matter how many times life gets you down, you’ll be a winner. Sooner or later.

Character Trait #5: Solution-Focused

Positive people aren’t very interested in what went wrong. They don’t spend endless hours analyzing a problem and feeling bad about why something didn’t go the way they wanted it to. They have very little time for complaining.

When you’re positive, you are naturally drawn to outcome based thinking. You’re interested in the results. This is why positive thinkers are very solution focused.

The second they understand something needs to be fixed, they go out and find ways to fix it.

Character Trait #6: Adaptability

When you’re positive, you’re always ready to try again even after you’ve failed. When you do this, you develop a powerful sense of adaptability. Adaptability is a critical trait for success and happiness.

Unhappy, negative people think about their failures, mull over them and give up. But happy, successful people face failures, learn from what happened and adapt so they avoid making the same mistakes in the future.

It’s not a coincidence that all 6 character traits are also shared by some the world’s most successful people. As you can see, positive thinking isn’t for the weak willed.

Thinking positive isn’t just about “seeing the glass half full.”

It’s about achieving your goals, living your dreams and maybe even changing the world.

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